April 10, 2008

Study: Good landscaping really does add value to homes

BLACKSBURG—Real estate agents tell homeowners all the time that good landscaping improves the value of their homes. They’re right, according to a 2005 survey that recently was condensed by Dr. Alex Niemiera, associate professor of horticulture at Virginia Tech.

If you’re looking to sell a house, particularly in this year’s soft market, “it’s well worth the investment to hire someone to develop a sophisticated landscape plan, and then put in larger-sized plants,” Niemiera said. “You’re not only adding value, you’re also adding curb appeal to your house versus another home for sale down the block.”

So how much does good landscaping improve the value of a home? It varied, depending on where in the United States survey participants lived. But a home valued at $150,000 with no landscaping could be worth an additional $8,250 to $19,050 if a sophisticated landscape with color and large plants was installed. Niemiera said improving a home’s landscape can increase its value 10 percent to 12 percent.

The 2005 study was published in the Journal of Environmental Horticulture, following up on two 1999 studies. Researchers surveyed attendees at home and garden shows in seven states to determine how plant size and type and landscape design sophistication affect the perceived value of a home.

Niemiera said consumers valued the sophistication of a landscape design above all other factors, whereas in 1999 the size of the plants was valued the most. A more sophisticated design included various plants, colors and planting areas with curved bed lines, as opposed to a simple design of some foundation plants and a few inexpensive trees.

The survey found that minimal landscaping "actually detracted from the value of the house,” Niemiera added.

“It’s great news for Virginia’s green industry,” he said. “The landscaping industry employs everyone from the designer who draws the plan to the nursery that grows the material and the crews who install it.”

In 2002 Virginia’s nursery, landscape and floriculture industry generated $1.14 billion in cash receipts, according the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Plant sales were the top sector of the green industry, followed by landscape maintenance, installation and design activities.

Niemiera said a professional design is a small investment with a potentially big return. “A homeowner could certainly perform many landscaping improvements, but if you want the eye of an experienced landscape designer, it will help. You could just pay for the plan and do the labor yourself, if you’d like to save money.”

Contact Niemiera at 540-231-6723 or Norm Hyde, VFBF video producer, at 804-290-1146.